Drunken-driving foes applaud ignition interlock bills

By Brian Hill, Capital News Service

03/08/12

Opponents of drunken driving are commending the Senate and House for approving bills that will require first-time DUI offenders in Virginia to install a Breathalyzer to prevent them from operating their vehicle while intoxicated.

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, the Senate’s presiding officer, signed off on Senate Bill 378 this week. House Speaker William J. Howell signed off on a companion measure, House Bill 279, last week. Both bills would require Virginia drivers to have an ignition interlock installed in their vehicle after their first DUI offense.

SB 378 and HB 279 now go to Gov. Bob McDonnell for his approval or veto. If signed by the governor, the legislation would become law on July 1.

“If Gov. McDonnell signs either of this year’s General Assembly-passed ignition interlock bills, Virginia will join just 15 other U.S. states in requiring this proven effective technology for all persons convicted of drunken driving,” said Kurt Erickson, president of the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, which campaigns against drunken driving.

Under the legislation, if a court requires the installation of an ignition interlock system, the clerk will file a copy of the order with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. This order would become part of the offender’s restricted driver’s license.

Within 30 days of the court order, DUI offenders would have to provide proof that the ignition interlock system has been installed. The court reserves the right to revoke the offender’s driving privilege for failing to install the system on time or have it properly monitored and calibrated.

The group Mothers Against Drunk Driving is grateful that both chambers of the General Assembly have approved the SB 378 and HB 279. “This is lifesaving legislation that MADD has been working to get passed for six years,” said Chris Konschak, manager of the Virginia office of MADD.

People convicted of their first DUI offense are less likely to re-offend if they have to install an ignition interlock on their vehicles, according to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Opponents of drunken driving predict that the recidivism rates will drop significantly.

“Ignition interlocks have the ability to stop a person from driving drunk,” Konschak said. “They also have a deterrent effect on potential drunken drivers.”

St. Joseph's Villa’s Flagler Housing & Homeless Services was one of three entities to earn the National Alliance to End Homelessness' Champion of Change Award. The awards were presented Nov. 17 during a ceremony at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.

Flagler completed its transition from an on-campus shelter to the community-based model of rapid rehousing in 2013, and it was one of the nation's first rapid re-housing service providers to be certified by NAEH. > Read more.

Richmond International Raceway's 13th annual Community Christmas tree lighting has been rescheduled from Dec. 6 to Monday, Dec. 12, at 6:30 p.m., due to inclement weather expected on the original date.

Entertainment Dec. 12 will be provided by the Laburnum Elementary School choir and the Henrico High School Mighty Marching Warriors band. Tree decorations crafted by students from Laburnum Elementary School and L. Douglas Wilder Middle School will be on display. Hot chocolate and cookies will be supplied by the Henrico High School football boosters. > Read more.

It’s going to be a cold weekend so if you’re headed out to the James River Parade of Lights or the Richmond Road Runners Club Toy Run 5K in Innsbrook, you’d better bundle up! If you’re looking for some indoor ways to celebrate the holidays, check out Three-Penny Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story for Christmas” or “To Drive the Cold Winter Away: An Irish Celebration of the Returning Light” at the Unitarian Universalist Community Church in Glen Allen. Also this weekend – the Henrico Theatre will show the holiday classic “Home Alone." For all our top picks this weekend, click here! > Read more.

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Senior citizens group Elderberries will meet at 11:30 a.m. at the American Legion Post #244, located at 2522 Indale Rd. in Glen Allen. The Finney’s will provide a Christmas program with music and video. Guests are asked to bring a covered dish; the Elderberries will provide beverages, meat and dessert. Everyone is welcome. The group meets the second Wednesday of each month, year-round. For details, call Brenda Anderson at 672-0074.
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